As the school year came to a close, several of Gorham’s experienced and dedicated teachers chose to retire from the teaching profession. These included Elizabeth Collins, Frank DeFrancesco, Anton Gulovsen, Rolande Paolino, Donna Pastore and Stacey Sawyer.

Earlier this year, John Caterina retired from his position as a science teacher at Gorham High School. Mr. Caterina grew up locally and knew that Gorham was a great town and would be a great place to work. He taught in Gorham for 37 years serving as a high school chemistry teacher, a track coach, a volleyball coach, an assistant football coach and a Gorham Teachers Association building representative. He will miss the students, staff and athletes of Gorham and plans to travel with his wife and spend time with his children and grandchildren.

Elizabeth Collins is retiring after 41 years, the last 23 in Gorham. She had worked at the middle school, the high school and finished her career as a math support teacher at Village School. She will especially miss her students and colleagues, particularly at Village the past 15 years.

Frank DeFrancesco grew up in Saco and went to University of Maine at Farmington. He moved back to Maine from San Diego in 1993 to raise his children with his wife Julie, and began teaching physical education at Narragansett School. He relocated to Great Falls School when that school opened. He will miss all of the students and their families that he has met over the years and will forever appreciate how kind and supportive the Gorham community has been to him.

Anton Gulovsen is retiring after teaching seventh and eighth grade science at Shaw School and Gorham Middle School for many years.

Rolande Paolino taught fifth grade at Village School and Great Falls School specializing in language arts and literacy instruction. After completing her student teaching here in Gorham, Mrs. Paolino was hired to teach at Village School and then moved to Great Falls when it opened.

Donna Pastore moved back to Gorham in 1990 to raise her children, She was hired in 1991 as a substitute and then as a special education teacher at Village School. She remained at Village until the new middle school opened in 2003, where she became a literacy/ math lab teacher. For many years she was on the leadership teams at both buildings, as well as the Literacy Committee, the Steering Committee and has been Student Council advisor for 21years.
After 30 years, Donna will miss the staff and students at the middle school, as well as all of the friends that she has made throughout the district. She hopes to travel and spend time with her family and friends.

Stacey Sawyer is retiring from her position as school counselor at Village School. During her 26 years in Gorham, she has been an educational technician, a fourth grade teacher, a literacy specialist, an assistant principal, a social skills teaching counselor and a school counselor. Mrs. Sawyer says that: “I will miss the children. I’ve learned something new from students every day. I love their honesty and their humor.” She is looking forward to spending time with her family.

On behalf of the students of Gorham, we thank you all for your commitment and years of service to our community. The Gorham schools have been a better place because of you.